Mutualism between Three Species of Tropical Piper (Piperaceae) and Their Ant Inhabitants

Risch, Stephen J.; McClure, Mark S.; Vandermeer, John; Waltz, Sharla

doi:10.2307/2424991

Cited by 56 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The same behaviour has been observed in other associations: Pseudomyrmex-Acacia (Janzen 1967), Pachysima-Barteria (Janzen 1972), Azteca-Cordia (Janzen 1969), Viticola-Vitex (Janzen 1966), Pseudomyrmex-Triplaris (Schremmer 1984), Pseudomyrmex-Tachigalia (Wheeler 1921). In contrast, no defence against plant competitors was found in PetalomyrmexLeonardoxa (McKey 1984) and Pheidole-Piper (Risch et al 1977). In addition to biting off vines Pseudomyrmex trip/arinus and Pachysima clear the ground around the base of their host tree from debris and vegetation.…”

Section: Protection Against Plant Competitorssupporting

confidence: 78%

“…which have been described primarily for ant-associated epiphytes in SE Asia and Australia (Janzen 1974a;Huxley 1978;Rickson 1979) and 2) associations where ants protect their host trees against vine-growth and herbivores which have been studied mainly in the neotropics and tropical Africa (Janzen 1967(Janzen , 1969(Janzen , 1972Risch et al 1977;Letourneau 1983;McKey 1984;Schremmer 1984;Schupp 1986). …”

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confidence: 99%

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Studies of a South East Asian ant-plant association: protection of Macaranga trees by Crematogaster borneensis

et al. 1989

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Summary. In the humid tropics of SE Asia there are some 14 myrmecophytic species of the pioneer tree genus M acaranga (Euphorbiaceae). In Peninsular Malaysia a close association exists between the trees and the small, non-stinging myrmicine Crema togas ter borneensis. These ants feed mainly on food bodies provided by the plants and have their colonies inside the hollow intemodes. In a ten months field study we were able to demonstrate for four Macaranga species (M. triloba, M. hypoleuca, M. hosei, M. hulletti) that host plants also benefit considerably from ant-occupation. Ants do not contribute to the nutrient demands of their host plant, they do, however, protect it against herbivores and plant competition. Cleaning behaviour of the. ants results in the removal of potential herbivores already in their earliest developmental stages. Strong aggressiveness and a mass recruiting system enable the ants to defend the host plant against many herbivorous insects. This results in a significant decrease in leaf damage due to herbivores on ant-occupied compared to ant-free myrmecophytes as well as compared to non-myrmecophytic M acaranga species. Most important is the ants' defense of the host plant against plant competitors, especially vines, which are abundant in the well-lit pioneer habitats where Macaranga grows. Ants bite off any foreign plant part coming into contact with their host plant. Both ant-free myrmecophytes and non-myrmecophytic Macaranga species had a significantly higher incidence of vine growth than specimens with active ant colonies. This may be a factor of considerable importance allowing Macaranga plants to grow at sites of strongest competition.

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Section: Protection Against Plant Competitorssupporting

confidence: 78%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Studies of a South East Asian ant-plant association: protection of Macaranga trees by Crematogaster borneensis

et al. 1989

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“…In young plants, ants nest inside petiolar cavities that are tightly folded into a tube ( Fig. 9.2; Burger 1972, Risch et al 1977, Letourneau 1998. As the plant increases in size, the stem becomes hollow ( Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the plant increases in size, the stem becomes hollow ( Fig. 9.2; Risch et al 1977). A pore between the petiolar and stem cavities allows for movement of ants between the two domatia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9.2(B), arrows) such that they are only available to organisms inside the petiolar cavity, and are produced in large numbers only in the presence of the ant mutualist Pheidole bicornis Forel (Risch and Rickson 1981). Separate studies have produced different estimates of the nutritive composition of the pearl bodies with values ranging from 22 to 48% (dry weight) for lipids, negligible amounts of up to 2.1% for carbohydrates, and 10 to 24% for proteins (Risch et al 1977, Fischer et al 2002. Piper calcariformis, an obligate myrmecophyte with closed petioles and pearl bodies ( Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phylogenetic Patterns, Evolutionary Trends, and the Origin of Ant—Plant Associations in Piper section Macrostachys: Burger’s Hypotheses Revisited

Tepe

Vincent

Watson

2004

Piper: A Model Genus for Studies of Phytochemistry, Ecology, and Evolution

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Nutrient Acquisition and Concentration by Ant Symbionts: The Incidence and Importance of Biological Interactions to Plant Nutrition

Sagers¹

2011

Ecological Aspects of Nitrogen Metabolism in Plants

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Mutualism between Three Species of Tropical Piper (Piperaceae) and Their Ant Inhabitants

Cited by 56 publications

References 13 publications

Studies of a South East Asian ant-plant association: protection of Macaranga trees by Crematogaster borneensis

Studies of a South East Asian ant-plant association: protection of Macaranga trees by Crematogaster borneensis

Phylogenetic Patterns, Evolutionary Trends, and the Origin of Ant—Plant Associations in Piper section Macrostachys: Burger’s Hypotheses Revisited

Nutrient Acquisition and Concentration by Ant Symbionts: The Incidence and Importance of Biological Interactions to Plant Nutrition

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